Pictured: The New Burlington “Bull Dog,” c.1923 Burlington Watch Company Catalog. Around 1923, the Burlington Watch Company introduced the new Burlington “Bull Dog,” advertised as a watch specifically designed “for rough service.” The “Burlington Bull Dog” name was applied to the dial (and sometimes the case) and furnished with the standard Grade 107 movement used for other watches in the Burlington line. The c.1923 Burlington Watch Company Catalog described the Burlington “Bull Dog” as being fitted in a “14-Karat Gold Strata Case” (Gold-Filled) with a unique dust-proof design. The dial illustrated in the catalog is similar to the dials furnished with the Bunn Special movements that the Illinois Watch Company sold during this era. Other advertisements indicate that various dial designs were available, each featuring the “Burlington Bull Dog” name. The sturdy case and large Arabic dial appealed to customers that wanted a watch that looked more like a railroad watch even though it would not have qualified for service on most railroads. The Burlington “Bull Dog” represented one of the last watches sold by the Burlington Watch Company.  ... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 1 hour ago

Pictured: The “Lady Burlington,” c.1923 Burlington Watch Company Catalog. To complement the new line of men’s strap watches, the Burlington Watch Company also introduced the “Petite Wrist Watch” and “Lady Burlington” product lines.  These stylish wristwatches were furnished with Swiss movements featuring 17 ruby jewels, silver dials, and fitted in solid 18K or 14K gold cases. A “Special Nurse’s Watch” was also offered with a sweep second hand and radium dial to enable “the pulse to be accurately taken in the dark.” As these Burlington wristwatches were being introduced to the market, the Swiss watchmaking industry was rising, taking advantage of the trend shifting to inexpensive wristwatches. Even the Burlington Watch Company could not deny the competitive value provided by importing watches instead of purchasing domestically. Within a few decades, only a few remnants of the once-prestigious American watch industry would remain standing. ... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 1 day ago

Pictured: Burlington Sport Watches, c.1923 Burlington Watch Company Catalog. In the 1920s, “strap watches” were gaining popularity as an alternative to conventional pocket watches. Strap watches served as a convenient and reliable solution for soldiers during World War I, spurring global interest. Once considered a fashionable and novel timepiece for ladies, the wide use of strap watches by servicemen was enough to shift public opinion and increase demand for masculine wristwatches. Responding to this new interest, the Burlington Watch Company introduced a line of men’s strap watches. Instead of using movements from the Illinois Watch Company factory,  movements were imported from Switzerland, many being sourced from the Favre Watch Company and the Barbezat-Bole Company. The c.1923 Burlington Watch Company Catalog identifies the trend moving toward strap watches (wristwatches) in the men’s market: “Strap watches are just beginning to gain the popularity they deserve... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 2 days ago